J.J.'s Restaurant destroyed in massive blaze

Officials said there has been no positive identification on the person. The body was found in the bar area of JJ's Restaurant.

A gas explosion started the fire just before 6 p.m. near 48th Street and Belleview Avenue. Missouri Gas Energy said the early indications are that a contractor doing underground work struck a natural gas line.

Kansas City Fire Chief Paul Berardi said 15 people were hurt in the blast.

Berardi said that the fire department, police bomb and arson unit as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would be investigating the cause of the blast.

Berardi also acknowledged the the number of injured is a "moving target" for the time being.

Flames and thick black smoke were seen pouring from the building and could be seen from miles away. St. Luke's Hospital said it treated eight people, six were walk-in patients. Those six were later treated and released. But two people were admitted to intensive care. As of early Wednesday morning, one was reported in critical condition, and the second person was in serious condition.

The University of Kansas Hospital said it had received four patients and had a fifth on the way, hospital spokeswoman Jill Chadwick said. Two of the patients were in the trauma unit. She said most of the patients were being treated for lacerations. Truman Medical Center reported one patient with critical injuries.

KMBC 9's Micheal Mahoney spoke to someone who said he was a regular at the restaurant and said firefighters and representatives from Missouri Gas Energy were checking for the source of a gas odor before the explosion. A small group of customers who were in the restaurant were advised to leave. He said five to 10 employees stayed behind after the customers left, but it wasn't clear if they were still inside at the time of the explosion.

A hostess told KMBC 9 News that the staff was counting the money in the register and they were preparing to leave at the time of the explosion. She said she thought she was going to die, but escaped with only minor injuries.

Firefighters were searching the debris late Tuesday for anyone who might not have made it out.

James Armer said he was about a mile and a half away and heard the explosion and saw debris flying about 100 feet into the air.

Michelle Goldsmith said she was driving past the area just before the fire started and said she noticed and overwhelming smell of gas.

"I actually sped up to get out of this area because it made me nervous about what the smell was and what would happen," she said.

MGE said the gas to the area was shut off about 8 p.m.

"We will continue to work with emergency responders and the appropriate authorities to continue to assess the situation and ensure that the area is safe. We will provide updates as more information becomes available," the company said in a statement.

James urged people on Twitter to stay away from the area so firefighters can do their work. Traffic in the area and in the Country Club Plaza itself has been snarled.

The city said Belleview Avenue and Roanoke Parkway would be closed between 47th Street and Ward Parkway on Wednesday.

On its Facebook page, J.J.'s issued the following statement: "Please keep our friends and families in your hearts and prayers. At this time we are still trying to assess the situation and make sure our coworkers and customers are safe."

Owner J.J. Frantze was out of town Tuesday. James said he spoke to Frantze and he expressed concern for the employees and staff. His brother, David Frantze, said he believed that most of the people who are injured were employees of the restaurant.

According to its website, J.J.'s has been in operation for 27 years and was one of the longest-operating independent restaurants in Kansas City. The restaurant was known for an extensive wine cellar.

The law firm Polsinelli Shughart, which is planning to occupy an office building across the street from J.J.'s when construction is finished, released a statement late Tuesday.

"Just like people all across Kansas City, our thoughts tonight are with the patrons and employees of J.J.'s who were injured, and the first responders who risked their lives to bring the fire under control. Our law firm headquarters, which is under construction next to J.J.'s, is secondary," said Polsinelli Shughart chairman Russ Welsh.

Many people who live in the area have been waiting outside for news whether it was safe to return. The city was setting aside buses to provide a warm place for those people to wait.

This story is developing. Refresh this page for updates.

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